Wheels for scrollsaw

[woodchux]

Have been using my Hawk G426 scroll saw more, but the hassle with moving/dragging it out in a workable area has become a problem. Can't leave the saw in the middle of the garage work area, and thought about adding wheels to the back two legs - something that rotates and are lockable. What do you think - worth the addition? Have any of you SS folks added wheels to your saw? Any input is appreciated. Thanks wc 

[Jim Finn]

My scroll saws are anchored to the concrete floor but if I were to make a scroll saw stand portable I would mount wheels on the back side of the stand barely touching the floor and when I needed to move it, just lift the front, putting the weight of the saw on those wheels and roll  away.

[MTCowpoke22]

I haven't put any on my scroll saw, but made a workbench that I mounted wheels on. Its nice to be able to roll it around the shop to where I need it, or get it out of the way if necessary. I bought wheels out of Rockler. They use a cam design to set the bench on the ground when I need it stable, but are easy to put the wheels back down when needed.

[ike]

I mounted swivel wheels on a 10 ' boars just a few " wider than the saw bench when I want to move it I lift the front of the saw. The wheels make the saw on a 20 * ' incline which works for me. the boaard is bolted to the saw stand.

IKE

Edited September 14, 2016 by ike

[Bubbala]

Or a hand truck from harbour freight. And move other things around also.

[SCROLLSAW703]

i put four 2" castors on my 220VS Hawk. Two of them have brakes on them, & other two are spinners. the saw was level, & didn't move with the brakes on. I just traded it off for the BM 26 Hawk. I put the legs off the 220 on the 26, & don't have any problems with it. its level, runs smooth, moves easily. 

[zimmerstutzen]

My wood lathe is mounted on a heavy duty one ton dolly and rolls around slick as can be.

[oldhudson]

Every 'floor' tool in my shop (12' x 14') is on wheels. Jim's idea of using two wheels makes a lot of sense.

[Sparkey]

My scroll saws are anchored to the concrete floor but if I were to make a scroll saw stand portable I would mount wheels on the back side of the stand barely touching the floor and when I needed to move it, just lift the front, putting the weight of the saw on those wheels and roll  away.

That is how I have my table saw set up.

[heppnerguy]

I only have wheels on my table saw and they are also as Jim suggested

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[Lucky2]

I use a metal frame with wheels on it, the two front ones swivel, the back ones don't. It's a simple system, and it only cost about $25.00. You can buy them at most places where you buy woodworking equipment.

Len

[amazingkevin]

I like 4" wheels and put them on everything i can.makes for easy cleaning one day,lol

 

Have been using my Hawk G426 scroll saw more, but the hassle with moving/dragging it out in a workable area has become a problem. Can't leave the saw in the middle of the garage work area, and thought about adding wheels to the back two legs - something that rotates and are lockable. What do you think - worth the addition? Have any of you SS folks added wheels to your saw? Any input is appreciated. Thanks wc 

I like 4" wheels and put them on everything i can.makes for easy cleaning one day,lol

[lawson56]

A Lot of Great suggestions up there.

[Rolf]

You don't want the Hawk to stand on wheels, it really likes to sit solidly on the floor.  

I bought the Hawk wheels and front handle. They allow you to lift the front of the saw and easily wheel it around and when you set it down it is solidly on it's legs. 

The handle serves another function for me. I clip a bag to it and capture all of my scraps and a lot of the sawdust.

 

It is a very heavy saw 100 lb+ 

 

I designed a similar system on a cabinet I build for my Jet spindle sander.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Rolf

[Scrappile]

I have casters under my Ex saw, but it is on a home made stand/cabinet.  It works fine, two of the wheels lock.  I had a table saw once that I had to move often.  I mounted to wagon wheels on the back of the stand and had pipe mounted on the sides that I could slip smaller pipes into and use then as handles to lift the front and move the saw like a wheelbarrow.  It worked great for years.  Fact I have given the saw to my son-in-law and it is still set up that way.

[ike]

I put the wheels on the back for one reason With the back raised a couple of inches it makes it easier to see my pattern, and at my age I need all the help I can get. With the front of the saw on the floor I don't need brakes on the back end.

IKE

Edited September 14, 2016 by ike

[Doug]

I attached four 4 inch locking swivel casters to 3/4 ply and then bolted my EX21 stand to the ply and placed a 40 pound bag of water softener salt on the ply.  I can easily roll wherever I want and with the dead weight on the plywood plus the weight of the stand and saw there is absolutely no vibration.  I also used 3/4 ply between the stand and saw so I could have a nice shelf on both sides of the saw.  4 inch casters roll so much easier than 2 inch casters.  You can guess how I know that.  I do not work with an inclined saw but it would be easy to do either at the base with the 3/4 ply or at the shelf if you add the 3/4 ply between the stand and saw.

[lost_in_endicott]

I have a small, cramped "shop," and space is limited. The tools that I have on stands are on Harbor Freight Mobile Bases.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/300-lb-capacity-mobile-base-95288.html

 

They are fairly inexpensive, easy to build, and they work pretty well. I have 3, including the one I put my scroll saw on. I've had no issues with it moving around while I'm using the saw,

[SCROLLSAW703]

i've had my hawk on casters for over a year, Rolf, & not had an ounce of problems with it. I discussed the issue with the folks at Hawk, & they suggested the set up I have on mine. On top of that, my shop floor is a carpeted wood floor. I don't have anymore vibration than if the saw were on concrete. 

 

Allow me to explain my reasoning. I started out with the Hawk on its factory feet, on carpet, & a wood floor. I didn't have any more vibration with it than I do my other 4 saws. It cut like a dream. Having a bad back, & a small shop, the Hawk got to be to heavy to move w/out help. When I discussed it with Hawk, they said as long as two casters had brakes, I'll be ok. 

 

I just traded for the BM 26, & put it on casters. No problems at all. I test drove a 26 while we were in Bushton, at the plant. It was sitting on a concrete floor, on it's factory feet. There was no more vibration with their's, than mine. 

 

When they asked me to the Ks State Fair to demonstrate for them, they told me their saws were moved alot, & needed aligned & leveled before use. I didn't get to go because of health reasons, but I can tell you, the Hawk will sit & run like a dream if it's been leveled, aligned, & taken care of. And mine is. Not to say your isn't. Regardless of the floor. Just from experience.

Edited September 15, 2016 by SCROLLSAW703

[Rolf]

Thanks Brad. I stand corrected .

That is great information and I will file that away for future reference. I am so happy to hear that you are happy with the new Hawk. We don't hear much from new buyers. 

My basement floor is poured concrete with a diamond plate matting over it not the best for setting things level. I have wheels on almost all of my tools and I have to hunt for that sweet spot to settle them in.

 

Regarding the casters on your Hawk that adds another couple of inches to an already tall saw, what do you use for a chair or do you stand?

Edited September 15, 2016 by Rolf

[woodchux]

Many "Thanks" for all the great suggestions, ideas, and comments! Will review all info, and decide. Be safe. wc

[Rockytime]

Thanks Brad. I stand corrected .

That is great information and I will file that away for future reference. I am so happy to hear that you are happy with the new Hawk. We don't hear much from new buyers. 

My basement floor is poured concrete with a diamond plate matting over it not the best for setting things level. I have wheels on almost all of my tools and I have to hunt for that sweet spot to settle them in.

 

Regarding the casters on your Hawk that adds another couple of inches to an already tall saw, what do you use for a chair or do you stand?

The Hawk casters are just at the back of the rear legs and are just slightly above the floor. Only a slight lift at the front of the saw causes the casters to make contact with floor and allow the saw to roll easily. Take another look at Rolf's photos. That should answer the question. I'm thinking of getting that set for my saw.

[SCROLLSAW703]

i use a barbers chair, Rolf. I used to use just a bar stool, but there was no back support. I found this barber chair, & I can adjust the height with it. 

 

I 2009, I came in off the truck with viral meningitis. I spent 8 months in the hospital, & at that time, lost complete use of both legs, & partial use of my left hand. I had to learn to walk all over again. Months of therapy, numerous epidurals, & pain narcotics of every kind. Finally I was released back out into the real world, & allowed to do light duty. While still in therapy, I did not regain full strength of my legs, but gained most of the use of hand back. After I was released from therapy, I went back to trucking. I drove for nearly 2 years, & I lost my Father & my nephew 2 weeks apart. I had a nervous breakdown in the truck, wrecked the truck, & am now on seizure meds daily due to the circumstances of the accident. Needless to say, I'll never drive OTR again. Since that time, In January of 2015, I had major back surgery due to a bone spur between L3 & S1. This was caused by the OB dr on call when I went into the hospital w/meningitis. She decided she was going to use spinal taps on me for pain, instead of IV's. She stuck me three times, & missed all three times! The first bone spur was rubbing against the spinal cord, & just about cut it in to. I'm fused there now. 

 

As of three weeks ago when we seen my back surgeon, he says we've went as far as we can with stem cell injections, meds, etc. So surgery is the next option. He does have me on narcotics for pain control, & I use acupuncture every week for it, too. He told me this is all caused from sittin' in a truck for 35 years, meningitis, & all the pain meds I've been given. 

 

My apologies for the ramble Sir, but that's why I use a barbers chair. My back is shot! I can stand at the lathe for a half hour or so, then I have to sit down awhile. Otherwise I'll be pickin' myself up off the floor! I have my entire shop set up so that I don't have to stand for very long at a time. Again, my apologies for the ramble, but, that's why my Hawk is a little higher than most. Thank you for patience.